Photocomposing apparatus

ABSTRACT

The specification disclosed photocomposing apparatus for producing printing plates without the use of conventional type, but by a photocomposing method wherein optical mats or matrices capable of use in direct photographic contact printing of a photosensitive film panel, may be handset in a composing stick in a manner using all of the conventional skills of a printer who has normally been trained in hand-setting conventional type in a composing stick. Thus, the only difference that such a printer will find in using the apparatus of the present invention is that he will handset the optical mats or matrices instead of conventional type, and after he has composed a line of copy he will insert the composing stick in the machine, and it will be moved downwardly into contact-printing relationship with respect to a line exposure portion of an underlying photosensitive film panel and will then be subjected to light which will pass through transparent portions of the line of optical mats or matrices and will not pass through opaque portions thereof, thus exposing the line exposure portion of the underlying photosensitive film panel in a manner which, when developed, will bear the desired sequence of alpha-numeric symbols, such as letters or numbers, comprising the various words of the desired line of copy. This operation is repeated for each line of copy, and means is provided for correspondingly moving the underlying film panel in a positively externally indicating manner for copy positioning and correlation purposes.

United States Patent George F. Cavanaugh [72] Inventor 1210 Lyndon St., South Pasadena, Calif. 91030 [21] Appl. No. 711,410 [22] Filed Mar. 7, 1968 [45] Patented Aug. 17, 1971 [54] PHOTOCOMPOSING APPARATUS 7 Claims, 26 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 95/45 [51] lnt.Cl B4lb 15/02 [50] Field of Search 7 95/45, 85

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,919,030 7/1933 Mills .95/4.5 1,986,693 1/1935 Uher 95/4.5 2,495,887 1/1950 Bumstead 95/85 X Primary Examiner-John M. l-loran ABSTRACT: The specification disclosed photocomposing apparatus for producing printing plates without the use of conventional type, but by a photocomposing method wherein optical mats or matrices capable of use in direct photographic contact printing of a photosensitive film panel, may be hand set in a composing stick in a manner using all of the conventional skills of a printer who has normally been trained in hand-setting conventional type in a composing stick. Thus, the only difference that such a printer will find in using the apparatus of the present invention is that he will handset the optical mats or matrices instead of conventional type, and after he has composed a line of copy he will insert the composing stick in the machine, and it will be moved downwardly into contact-printing relationship with respect to a line exposure portion of an underlying photosensitive film panel and will then be subjected to light which will pass through transparent portions of the line of optical mats or matrices and will not pass through opaque portions thereof, thus exposing the line exposure portion of the underlying photosensitive film panel in a manner which, when developed, will bear the desired sequence of alpha-numeric symbols, such as letters or numbers, comprising the various words of the desired line of copy, This operation is repeated for each line of copy, and means is provided for correspondingly moving the underlying film panel in a positively externally indicating manner for copy positioning and correlation purposes.

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06W mew MGM INVENTORQ 650265 E (ova/W106 PHU'ilQflOMPOSING APPARATUS Generally speaking, the present invention relates to the typographical and printing arts and, more particularly, to photocomposing apparatus for photographically producing an exposed photographic film which may be used for making a printing plate in a conventional manner; the photographic production of said exposed photographic film being accomplished a line at a time by hand-setting a line of image-producing matrices in a manner similar to the hand-setting of conventional type in a composing stick and by then optically projecting, in a direct contact printing manner, the plurality of imageproducing matrices of said line thereof onto a corresponding line exposure portion or region of a photosensitive film panel of larger size, which thereafter may be moved and again exposed With another line of such hand-set image-producing matrices and, in certain cases, pictorial material if desired, until such time as a complete film panel of a desired size has been exposed in the desired manner in accordance with the step-by-step, line-at-a-time hand-setting and subsequent exposure method and procedure outlined above, after which it is adapted to be developed (and fixed, if desired) so as to bring the latent images into real form on the developed and removed film panel which can then be used in a conventional manner for making printing plates.

In one preferred form of the invention, a copy and plotting board adapted to simulate the film panel which is to be exposed may be positioned at a convenient adjacent location for use by the printer or compositor in a convenient correlated manner with respect to the hand-setting of the optical mats or matrices and the subsequent line-by-line exposure of the photosensitive film panel in the apparatus of the invention. Such a copy and plotting board which will act as a complete guide to the subsequent appearance of the fully developed film panel, is preferably prov de with printers measurement gauge means along at least two perpendicular edges thereof or, in certain forms, all edges thereof, so that the printer or compositor can determine precisely how the film panel will be exposed by correlating his line-by-line positional adjustment of the film panel, and any transverse or other longitudinal positional adjustment of the film panel, with the correspondingly positionally adjusted, exteriorly positioned, visibly observable copy and plotting board. in other words, the printer or compositor will measure any desired position with respect to the copy board through the use of mutually perpendicular printers measurement gauges carried thereby and will be able to correlate this with the position, both vertically and transve se of the latent images produced by the imageproducing matrices on the corresponding location of the inner photosensitive film panel so that the printer or compositor will know at all times precisely how he is dimensionally laying out and exposing said film panel with respect to the desired copy. He can do this by correlation with and/or comparison with the external copy board, which may be done by just manual and/or visual correlation or a coupled type of physical correlation may be employed so that the copy board, or copy thereon, will bt 'atively positioned in precisely the same manner as the corresponding latent images on the inner photosensitive film panel.

Also, if the printer or compositor lays out the exact copy on the copy or plotting board in exact correspondence with the full-size contact-printing projection of each corresponding line of image-producing matrices at corresponding locations on the inner photosensitive film panel, this will act as a means for preventing accidental double exposure of the same line exposure region of the inner photosensitive film panel since the printer or compositor will move to the next location on the exterior copy and plotting board when the next line of imageproducing mats or matrices is to be projected in a direct con tact-printing manner onto the next line exposure region of the inner photosensitive film panel.

This is so because, at the time that the printer or compositor so moves to the next desired position on the copy or plotting board, he will also operate the appropriate control knob on the apparatus for the purpose of correspondingly moving the inner photosensitive film panel in the same fashion and in exact correspondence therewith.

it should also be noted that, in one exemplary form of the invention, a plurality ofimage-producing matrices forming an exposure line thereof may be adapted to be removably mounted relative to the inner photosensitive film panel in a controllably relatively adjustable manner so that the effect of hand-setting type at various angles displaced either clockwise or counterclockwise from the normal, substantially perpendicularly transversely directed positfon may be produced on a corresponding line exposure region of the film panel.

Additionally, it should be noted that, in one preferred exemplary form of the invention, the optical matrices are carried by a plurality of matrixcarrying members and, in one preferred form, each such matrix-carrying member may carry or bear two related or correlated but different optical image-forming mat or matrix portions thereon oppositely directed in a positionally reversed manner and adapted to be controllably positionally reversibly mounted in either of two different positions in the composing stick and, when so mounted in either of said two positionally reversed positions in the composing stick, being adapted to place a different one of the pair of matrices carried by the corresponding matrix-mounting member in the exposure position-with the other matrix, of course, being in a nonexposure position. For example, each letter of the alphabet might be defined by a corresponding one of the image-forming matrix or mat portions in a manner such as to define the corresponding letter in a Roman or Bold type face form, while the other image-forming mat or matrix portion carried by the same matrix-carrying member might define the same letter of the alphabet in Italic form, or upper and lower case letters might be in the two different positions of each matrix-carrying member, or any other desired relationship between the two optical matrix or mat image-forming portions of each matrix-carrying member may be provided. Thus, a printer may change the style of type face of the final copy by merely mounting the corresponding matrix-carrying member in the composing stick in a positionally reversed manner.

In one preferred form of the invention, the photosensitive film panel referred to above may effectively comprise that portion of a continuous length of film which lies directly over the top of a controllably adjustable mounting means for mounting said film panel for translatory or rectilinear adjustment in either of two mutually perpendicular directions in a plane transverse to the direction of the rays of light passing through each matrix means during a printing operation, whereby to make it possible to effectively positionally adjust the line exposure region of the underlying photosensitive film panel which will receive a next l ne ofoptical images produced by the image-producing matrices \.l n the next optical printing operation is performed by operation of the pi ng or projection means and, more particularly, by causing illumination of the lamp and diffuser means thereofin a manner such as to cause the light therefrom to pass through the line of optimatrices in the exposure position into the immediately underlying line exposure portion of the photosensitive iilm panel.

lnone preferred form of the invention, aid controllably adjustable mounting means, or the means for operating same, may be effectively provided with indicia means, usually in me form of printers measurement scale means, for measuring movements of the inner film panel in printers measurement scale form so that correlation of the projected contact-printed copy in the form of latent images with visual observations of the hereinbefore-mentioned exteriorly visible copy and plotting board may be achieved.

It should be clearly noted that the film forming the film panel (usually a portion ofa length of such film as mentioned above) is adapted to be controllably moved in a advancing manner between exposures a distance corresponding to the normal vertical spacing of each line of copy so as to bring about the correct vertical spacing of the copy ofa completely exposed film panel and so that, after completion of such exposure, the fully line-by-line exposed film panel can be removed and can be cut off by cutoff means and moved into a development means for effective development of the latent images carried by said exposed and removed film panel portion.

It should be noted that, in one preferred form of the invention, each different image-producing matrix includes lightmodifying means having different light transmission characteristics from remaining portions thereof whereby to provide for selective differential exposure of a corresponding image exposure location on a corresponding line exposure portion of said film panel; said differential exposure corresponding to the shape of the desired alpha-numeric symbol which is to be photographically produced at said location on said film panel.

It should be noted that various types of photocomposing systems for the photographic production of alpha-numeric symbols have been invented and developed heretofore. However, most such systems have major disadvantages of one type or another.

For example, certain of said systems employ an individual alpha-numeric-symbol, sequential selection and exposure system of photocomposition of a type such that a compositor is not aware of whether or not he has made any mistakes in the composition until after completion of the complete composing operation and subsequent development of the exposed film, at which time he will then discover his composing mistakes. THis is a highly inefficient system and is substantially completely avoided by the present invention, wherein the composing step is essentially a hand-composing step very similar to that employed by conventional printing when hand-setting a line of conventional type. This has the immense advantage that the printer or compositor, after hand-setting each line of imageproducing matrices corresponding to type can quickly and visually check to determin he correctness of what he has just hand-set and can do this before projecting by direct contact printing, the entire line of alpha-numeric symbol images onto the inner photosensitive film panel whereby to produce corresponding latent images thereon suitable for later development and subsequent removal along with, and as a part of, the complete film panel.

Thus, it can be seen that the novel photocomposing apparatus of the present invention substantially completely eliminates and overcomes the above-mentioned prior art problem of such prior art photocomposing systems.

Furthermore, many of such prior art photocomposing systems are relatively slow in operation and require optical printing of each individual alpha-numeric symbol image after it has been individually selected, and before the next succeeding alpha-numeric symbol image has been selected, thus necessarily putting a relatively low volume limit on the speed with which a complete composing operation can be completed.

On the other hand, it will be noted that the novel photocomposing apparatus of the present invention allows hand-setting of the image producing matrices, with the consequent complete cont: of the spacing between adjacent ones of the image-producing matrices, in a manner substantially identical to the hand-setting of conventional printing type, which most printers can do very rapidly, after which the complete line of hand-setting optical matrices in the exposure position is projected (in a direct contact printing manner) onto the corresponding line exposure region of the photosensitive inner film panel, which is then moved to the next position for reception of the next line of projected images of the next hand-set line of image-producing matrices, etc. In other words, a complete film panel can be correctly exposed, a line at a time, and with the possibility of error virtually eliminated because of visual inspection of each hand-set line of optical matrices before projection, and this can be done in a very rapid manner which is quite analogous to the hand-setting of conventional type and which, therefore, requires virtually no retraining of a skilled conventional printing compositor.

THus, it will be seen that the novel photocomposing apparatus of the present invention uses to the maximum advantage the conventional skills of the average printer or printing compositor without any basic retraining and allows him to produce in a very rapid manner and with a minimum of mistakes, an exposed and developed photographic printing panel which can be used for producing a conventional printing plate of any desired type.

Also, in certain forms of the present invention, the apparatus may be arranged to mount one or more interchangeable slides in direct contact printing relationship for projecting onto a selected region of the inner ahotosensitive film panel a corresponding image. Such slides may comprise screens, stencils, tonal or ornamental borders, one or more ruling lines, either parallel or perpendicular, or otherwise arranged so as to comprise a ruled, multiple-space-defining form image, or the like, adapted to produce corresponding latent images on the film panel.

Another type of such slide may effectively comprise a complete light-barring seal which will prevent any light from reaching the inner photosensitive film panel when placed in operative position. This is normally done when a new assembly of image-producing matrices in a composing stick type of holder is placed within the apparatus for later projection, in a direct contact printing manner, onto the film panel. Also, said light-barring seal means may act as a close range projection screen upon which projection images of the assembly of image-producing matrices may be projected in order to see how the complete line of alpha-numeric symbols will appear when finally developed on the corresponding portion of the film panel. In other words, under such circumstances, the light-barring seal may be said to comprise means for direct proofreading of the hand-set image-producing matrices which may be employed in lieu of checking the matrices themselves in the composing stick holder means for the purpose of determining any errors which may have occurred in the handsetting composing operation.

With the above points in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel photocomposing apparatus which is capable of quickly and easily sequentially exposing individual line exposure portions of a photosensitive film panel .in exact correspondence with individual hand-set lines of image-producing optical matrices of alpha-numeric symbols (or, for that matter, any other symbols) and/or pictorial representations, or effective matrices which may comprise film holders for developed film bearing images, such as pietorial representations or the like, which it is desired to project onto the film panel in one or more selected locations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide photocomposing apparatus of the character referred to above which has any or all of the advantages referred to herein, generically and/or specifically, and individually or in combination, and which is of a relatively inex, ensive, foolproof, easyto-use construction such as to utilize to the maxn. the already developed skills of a conventional printer or pri ting compositor, whereby to be conductive to widespread use of the invention.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide photocomposing apparatus of the character referred to hereinbefore, in any of its various generic and/or specific aspects, which is of a character such that any individual me, or multiple line, portion of the developed film panel, after completion of a photocomposing operation with r spect thereto, can be quickly and easily corrected by hand-setting a corrected line of optical image-producing matrices, projecting same on a corresponding portion of another inner photosensitive film panel within the apparatus, and developing and removing said exposed film panel strip portion for superimposition over the corresponding erroneous portion of the previously exposed and developed complete film panel.

Further objects are implicit in the detailed description which follows hereinafter (which is to be considered as exemplary of, but not specifically limiting, the present invention), and said objects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after a careful study of the detailed description which follows hereinafter, and all such implicit objects are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fully as if detailed with great particularity herein.

For the purpose of clarifying the nature of the present invention, one exemplary but nonspecifically limiting embodiment of the main portion of the invention is illustrated in the hereinbelow-described figures. However, several slight variations of the image-producing matrices and of the matrix-carrying members and equivalent structures are shown. The exemplary illustrated form and submodifications of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings are described in detail hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a reduced-size, partly broken away, perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a larger scale, crosssectional view taken substantially along the plane and in the direction indicated by the arrows 2-2 of FIG. 3, with certain portions of the apparatus removed for drawing simplification reasons.

FIG. 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken substantially along the plane and in the direction indicated by the arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2. In other words, this view is taken just to the right of and just behind the left sidewall of the front cabinet of the apparatus when in the position viewed in FIG. 2. However, the portion ofthe apparatus underlying the cutoff knife and effectively connecting the front cabinet with the developing tank is also shown in section in a manner similar to the showing of the front cabinet portion; and, therefore, this portion of the figure is taken in a plane displaced to the right of the arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view which comprises partly a sectional view and partly a top plan view, taken substantially along the plane and in the directionindicated by the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3 and shows one exemplary embodiment of the multiple-matrix holder means, or composing stick type of holder means, holding a line of hand-set matrix-mounting members in a manner such that one matrix of the pair of matrices carried by each such matrix-mounting member is in a rear exposure line of matrices for full size direct contact projection of the exposure line of matrices, and of a corresponding line of symbol images produced as a consequence thereof, onto a corresponding line exposure portion of the film panel located therebelow, and with the other matrix carried by each matrix-mounting member being position in another nonexposure line of matrices so positioned as to be incapable of producing corresponding images on the film panel located below the composing stick holder means. This view also shows, in phantom lines, the composing stick holder means before its full insertion into the engaged relationships shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 and the final movement thereof downwardly into contact printing relationship with respect to the underlying film panel as better illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 5 is a staggered-plane, fragmentary, top view taken substantially in the direction of the arrows 5-5 of FIG. 3 and is partly a top plan view and partly a cross-sectional view of the front housing portion. This view clearly shows the top portion of the optical, full-size, direct contact projection means which is adapted to project full size images corresponding to the exposure line of image-forming matrices shown in FIG. 4 onto the film panel located in the lower portion of the apparatus when said exposure line of image-forming matrices and the composing stick holder means shown in FIG. 4 are moved from the preexposure position shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section and partly comprising a top plan view taken in the direction of the arrows 6-6 of FIG. 3 and illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 4 when moved downwardly into contact-printing relationship relative to the underlying film panel and illustrates a portion of the means for causing this action to occur when the composing stick holder means is moved from an exterior position where it has been hand-set into the fully engaged relationship shown in FIG. 4. This view illustrates a portion of the apparatus which facilitates this mode of operation of the apparatus and the reverse operation after completion of an exposure and advancement of the film panel of one line forwardly so as to position a fresh line exposure portion of the film panel in the proper location for exposure by the next line of type face matrix images.

FIG. 7 is a larger scale view, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of FIG. 6, and further illustrates the means for effecting the movement of the composing stick holder means from the engaged position shown in FIG. 4 into the contact printing position shown in FIG. 6 and the reverse movement after completion of a line exposure.

FIG. 8 is a larger scale, partly broken away, perspective view as seen from a position above one exemplary embodiment of the multiple-matrix composing stick type of holder.

means of the present invention adapted to receive and hold in laterally adjacent relationship a plurality of matrix-mounting members, each of which comprises a pair of correlated or related image-producing matrices in a manner such that only one matrix of each such pair thereof will be in a preexposure position for projecting corresponding images on a corresponding line exposure portion of a film panel located therebelow as is best shown in FIGS. l3, 6 and 7. It should be noted that each matrix-mounting member is mounted by the composing stick holder means in FIG. 8 in a controllably reversible manner which will effectively place the other matrix of each pair of matrices in the preexposure position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view generally similar to FIG. 8 and shows the same structure, but shows it as seen from a position below the composing stick means and thus clearly illustrates the fact that only the rear line of matrices is in a preexposure position-the other line of matrices being completely blocked off and prevented from functioning in an image forming and film panel exposing manner and thus may be said to be in a nonexposure position.

FIG. 9A is a view very similar to FIG. 9 but illustrates the plurality of matrix-mounting members in positionally reversed relationship so as to place the other plurality of matrices comprising the other matrix of each pair of matrices carried by each matrix-mounting member in the preexposure position or relationship.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view as seen from a position at one side of and above, one exemplary type of image-producing matrix member having a pair of related matrices thereon, each comprising a related type of alpha-numeric symbol carried on the bottom of the transparent material of the matrix-mounting member which has an otherwise opaque bottom surface surrounding each of the two transparent alpha-numeric related symbols; it being understood that only one of the alpha-numeric symbols is in a preexposure and a subsequent exposure position at any one time-the other one correspondingly being in a nonexposure position at any one time.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane and in the direction indicated by the arrows 11-11 of FIG. 10 and clearly shows in a fragmentary manner the bottom portion of the composing stick holder means in its normal carrying relationship with respect to the matrix-mounting member in a manner such as to allow one of the pair of matrices to produce a film exposing printing image while positively preventing the other alpha-numeric symbol from doing so until positionally reversed in the manner best shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a slight modification of the form of image-producing matrix-mounting means shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, wherein the optically transparent matrixmounting member carries two different portions of film at two different bottom parts thereof, with each having a related but different alpha-numeric symbol defined by a transparent or substantially transparent region of said film which is surrounded by substantially opaque portions of said rectangle of film.

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view showing the actual appearance of the two different but related symbols defined on the bottom of the matrix-mounting member of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, partly broken away, fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken in the direction of the arrows 14-14 of FIG. 5, illustrating certain details of the upper portion of the lamp means and diffusion means comprisinga part of the direct contact full size optical projection means of the exemplary form of the apparatus illustrated.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, partially broken away, diagrammatic and schematic view and is primarily for the purpose of clearly showing the controlling electrical circuitry of the exemplary first form of the invention in controlling relationship with respect to various motor means switch means and mechanical portions of the apparatus operated by the motor means and/or adapted to operate the switch means whereby to bring about the complete sequential operative cycle of the exemplary first form of the invention upon initiation thereof with each succeeding step following the preceding step in the proper relationship whereby to produce as a final end result the developed and fixed photographic panel bearing all of the copy initially hand-set, line by line, through the use of corresponding optical matrices in the composing stick. The various electrical and mechanical elements in this view are shown in very sketchy, incomplete, and somewhat diagrammatic manner for drawing space saving reasons.

FIG. 15A is a fragmentary, partially broken away, diagrammatic and schematic view of a very slight modification or optional alternate arrangement of the first form of the invention shown diagrammatically and schematically in FIG. 15 wherein shutter means is automatically opened and controlled as part of the automatic sequential cycling operation and in the proper timed relationship with respect to the rest of the individual operations comprising a part of the complete automatic cycle or sequence of operations. In other words, the shutter is automatically maintained in closed relationship except when it is opened as a result of the composing stick holder means being motor driven downwardly into the contact printing position which is immediately preceded by the automatic opening of the shutter and which is followed, upon conclusion of a contact-printing operation, by automatic closure of the shutter means again.

FIG. 15B illustrates fragmentarily and in greatly enlarged form a portion of the cabinet or housing wherein the controlling and overriding switch means which, in the first form of the invention, is illustrated as being operated by the opening and closing of the door of the cabinet, is positioned exteriorly thereof for independent operation of said controlling and overriding switch means. This is an optional alternate the arrangement illustrated in the first form of the invention for selectively activating or inactivating the complete electrical circuitry and electrical controlling and operating means shown diagrammatically and schematically in FIG. 15 in one form and in an optional alternate fragmentary form in FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16 is a greatly reduced size, perspective view, illustrating a modified and much simpler form of the invention which is entirely manually operated except for the electrical energization of the contact printing lamp.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, partly broken away, cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the plane and in the direction indicated by the arrows 17-17 ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is another fragmentary, partially broken away, sectional view taken substantially along the plane and in the direction indicated by the arrows 18-18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the vertical plane and in the direction indicated by the arrows 19-1-9 of FIG. 17 and shows the upper rotary turret and composing-stick-receiving structure with a composing stick inserted thereinto and prior to downward operation thereof in a manner such as to move the composing stick into contact printing position.

FIG. 20 is a reduced-size top view, partly comprising a top plan view and partly comprising a horizontal cross-sectional view showing in plan the rotary turret and the enveloping Iightight shroud or cover positioned thereover, and it taken in a direction and along a plane such as is indicated by the arrows 20-20 ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken substantially along the plane and in the direction indicated by the arrows 21-21 of FIG. 19 but shows in solid lines the upper rotary turret carrying the composing stick receiving structure therein after same has been moved downwardly into contact-printing position from the precontact-printing position shown in phantom and similar to the solid line precontactprinting position thereof shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane and in the direction indicated by the arrows 22-22 of FIG. 21 and shows the rotary turret and the composing-stick-reeeiving structure temporarily held in the downwardly extreme contact printing position by retaining means, shown fragmentarily, until such time as said retaining means is disengaged to allow the apparatus to move upwardly into the precontact printing position or after contact-printing position shown fragmentarily in phantom in both FIGS. 21 and 22 and shown in solid lines in FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view which shows the detail of the composing stick, or multiplematrix-member-holding means, fragmentarily in exploded preinsertion or afterremoval relationship with respect to the receiving track positioned within the inner carrier member of the rotary turret memberit being understood that this illustrates how the composing stick can be inserted into the rotary turret or removed therefrom.

Generally speaking, the photocomposing apparatus of the present invention is designated by the reference numeral 20 and is shown in one exemplary, but nonspecifically limiting, form wherein it comprises a main cabinet or housing, in dicated generally at 22, which carries the remainder of the ap paratus of the present invention therein except for the cutoff knife means, which is indicated generally at 24, and which is positioned therebehind, and except for a photographic developing and/or fixing tank means, indicated generally at 26, which is positioned behind the cutoff knife means 24, for the reception of a previously line-by-line exposed film panel which has been cut off by the cutoff knife means 24 for subsequent developing (and usually fixing) of the latent images carried by the said cutoff, exposed film panel.

In the exemplary, but nonspecifically limiting, form of the invention illustrated, the film panel referred to above is indicated at 281R, as best shown in FIG. 3, while said cut off, previously exposed film panel is indicated generally at 28PE and is shown in said FIG. 3 immediately after being cut off by the cutoff knife means 24 and as it is about to fall into the interior of the developing tank means 26.

It should be clearly noted that, in the exemplary but nonspecifically limiting first form of the invention illustrated, said film panel 281R, as shown in FIG. 3, which is in the projectedimage-receiving position (or contact printing position) is actually part of a continuous length of photosensitive film, generally designated by the reference numeral 28, which may be any type of photosensitive material which can be continuously fed to the image reception region where the film panel portion 281R is positioned as shown in FIG. 3 and which, after line-by-line exposure thereof in said region in a contact printing manner, can be fed forwardly or toward the left as viewed in FIG. 3 to the location of the cutoff knife means 24 where it can be cut off as is clearly shown in FIG. 3 so that the previously exposed film panel portion 28PE can be cut off and dropped into the developing tank means 26.

In one typical form of the invention, which is not to be construed as specifically limiting it, the photosensitive film 28 might be of a width thereacross corresponding to the copy width or paper width thereacross corresponding to the copy width or paper width of a newspaper, magazine, or other sheet of paper which is to be correspondingly printed in large volume by one or more printing plates made from the fully exposed photosensitive film or panel 28PE after it is developed and used for making a corresponding printing plate. The photosensitive film 28 might be of any desired length which can be conveniently stored in a spirally wound supply roll form, as indicated generally at 285R, where it is mounted on a supply reel or spindle 30 for feeding the film 28 upwardly and forwardly through the image-reception region or area, indicated generally at 32, and then, after exposure as described hereinafter, forwardly to the cutoff region, indicated generally at 34, where it can be cut off by the cutoff knife means 24 for reception by the developing tank means 26.

In the exemplary but nonspecifically limiting form of the invention illustrated, the above-mentioned forward feeding action of the film 28 from the film supply roll 28SR is effected by controllably adjustable mounting means, one exemplary form of which is indicated generally at 36, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which is provided with upper, forwardly moving support means, indicated generally at 38, adapted to carry the image-receiving film panel 28IR in a flat, horizontal manner at the top thereof when in said image-reception region, indicated at 32 and which is also provided with forward movement means operable for controllably advancing a forward portion of the film, indicated generally at 28, toward the cutoff region indicated generally at 34, and for correspondingly moving an additional, similarly sized portion from the film supply roll 285R upwardly and into the image reception region 32 where it will then effectively become the new, image-receiving, socalled film panel" 281R; said movement mean being generally indicated at 40 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Said controllably adjustable film panel mounting means 36, the upper support means indicated generally at 38 at the top thereof, and said forward movement means 40, will be described in greater detail hereinbelow as follows.

The above-mentioned upper support means 38, which is carried by the controllably adjustable mounting means 36, cffectively comprises a continuous, endless loop conveyor belt 42 which passes around two longitudinally spaced, parallel drum portions, such as generally indicated at 44, as best shown in FIG. 3, thus providing an arrangement adapted to support the film panel portion 281R thereabove during a-lineat-a-time exposure thereof as described in detail hereinafter, and then adapted to effectively feed the exposed film panel portion forwardly toward the cutoff region 34 in the manner referred to hereinbefore.

The above-mentioned forward feeding movement is effected by reason of the fact that the forward one of said drums 44 is provided with a pair of axially spaced sprockets or sets of circumferential sprocket teeth, as indicated at 46, positioned for driving engagement with corresponding sprocket holes 48 carried along both marginal edge portions of the film 28. Said sprockets or sprocket teeth 46, cooperable with the sprocket holes 48 of the film 28 and the shaft 50 and manually operable, exteriorly positioned control knob 52 carried thereby, may all be said to comprise the hereinbefore-mentioned forward movement means, generally designated by the reference numeral 40.

It will readily be understood that, after the film panel 28IR, in the image-reception position as best shown in FIG. 3, has been completely line-by-line exposed in a desired contact printing manner as described in detail hereinafter, it then becomes the previously mentioned exposed film panel 28PE and can be manually forwardly advanced by operation of the control knob 52 into a position where its rear edge lies in the cutoff region 34 so that it can be cut off by operation of the cutoff knife means 24 to drop said exposed film panel 28PE into the latent image developer liquid 54 in the developing tank means 26 best shown in FIG. 3.

It should be noted that since the film panel 281R, when in the image reception position 32 shown in FIG. 3, is adapted to be controllably exposed, a line at a time, with alpha-numeric symbol, pictorial, ruling line or other types of images, as described in detail hereinafter, corresponding to printing or the like it is desirable that said film panel 281R be controllably positionally adjustable in two mutually perpendicular directions in a plane transverse to the optical axis of the projection and contact printing means which will project said alpha-numeric symbol images in a full-size contact-printing manner thereon, thus making it possible to determine and controllably locate, in an exact manner, the precise exposure line region for any given group of alpha-numeric symbol or other types of images is projected in a contact printing manner onto said film panel 281R.

The above-mentioned type of mutually perpendicular, positional control of the film panel 28IR is provided by the hereinbefore-mentioned controllably adjustable mounting means, generally designated by the reference numeral 36, which will now be described in detail.

It will be noted that the two drums 44 are rotatably carried by upstanding arm portions 56 of a slidable carriage means, in dicated generally at 58, which includes an upper carriage portion 58U and a lower carriage portion 58L.

The lower carriage portion 58L is mounted by threaded base flange means 60 on a transversely directed lead screw 62 which is freely rotatively but nonlongitudinally movably mounted in and between the sidewalls of the housing 22, whereby to provide an arrangement such that rotation of said lead screw 62 in one direction or the other will cause corresponding transverse rectilinear or translatory movement of said lower carriage portion 58L in either of the two directions indicated by the arrows 64 in FIG. 2. Such rotation of the lead screw 62 is provided by a spur gear 66 pinned or otherwise fastened to the lead screw 62 at one end thereof and in driven engagement with respect to another larger spur gear 62 carried by a shaft 70 which extends to a position exterior of one of the sidewalls of the housing 22, where it is pinned or otherwise fastened to a manually operable control knob 72. It is apparent that manual rotation of the control knob 72 in one direction will cause transverse movement of the lower carriage portion 58L in the direction of one of the arrows 64, while rotation of said knob 72 in the other direction will cause transverse movement of said lower carriage portion 58L in the direction of the other of said arrows 64, as is best understood from a careful examination of FIG. 2.

Also, it should be noted that the upper carriage portion 58U mentioned above is longitudinally slidably mounted with respect to the lower carriage portion SSL for longitudinal movement thereof in a horizontal direction perpendicular to either of the transverse directional arrow 64 shown in FIG. 2.

This longitudinal mounting of the upper carriage portion SSU with respect to the lower carriage portion 58L is provided in the exemplary form of the invention illustrated by the slidable dovetail mounting means best shown at 74 in FIG. 2.

Relative longitudinal movement of the upper carriage portion 58U with respect to the lower carriage portion SSL is effected by manual rotation of a knob 76 (best shown in FIG. 2) which is pinned or otherwise fastened to a square, keyed, splined, or otherwise nonround type of shaft 78 which extends transversely across the interior of the housing or cabinet 22 between the sidewalls thereof, with its left end, as seen in FIG. 2, being rounded and being rotatively mounted in a receiving bearing 80 positioned adjacent to the previously mentioned spur gear 68. However, it should be clearly noted that there is no rotative coupling between the nonround shaft 78 and the spur gear 68. Said shaft 78 is positively coupled in a rotatively driving manner with respect to the central, similarly keyed or nonround portions of a pair of spur gears 82 (best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) in a manner such that rotation of the operating knob 76 will cause similar rotation of both of the spur gears 82, each of which is in driving, rotary-to-linear movement engagement with respect to the corresponding longitudinal toothed rack 84 carried at the bottom of the upper carriage portion 58U, thus effectively longitudinally slidably moving said upper carriage portion 58U with respect to the lower carriage portion 58L, as determined by the direction and extent of rotation of the manually rotatable operating knob 76.

It should be noted that the spur gears 82, while keyed to the nonround shaft 78, for simultaneous rotation therewith, are freely slidably movable along the length thereof in a transverse direction between opposite sidewalls of the housing 22, thus freely allowing the lower carriage portion 58L and the upper carriage portion 58U carried thereby, to be transversely horizontally moved as determined by the direction and extent of rotation of the manually rotatable operating knob 72 in the manner described in detail hereinbefore.

It should be noted that the forward movement advancement knob 52, being carried by the upper carriage portion 58U, must be capable of longitudinal movement therewith. Therefore, its shaft 50 is mounted in the longitudinal slots 86 in each of the sidewalls of the housing or cabinet 22. This is best shown with respect to one of said slots 86 in FIG. 1.

The various elements described in the preceding paragraph, with the exception of the manually operable forward movement advancement knob 52 and the slots 86, all comprise part of the hereinbefore generally referred to controllably adjustable mounting means, generally designated by the reference numeral 36.

It will readily be understood from the detailed description which has been set forth above that the controllably adjustable mounting means, indicated generally at 36, the film panel support means, indicated generally at 38, and the film forward movement means, indicated generally at 40, all cooperate to provide an arrangement adapted to allow virtually any type of positional control of the film panel portion 28IR for the reception of images projected thereon in a direct contact printing manner by the projection and contact printing means and for the controllable advancement in a forward direction of said film panel between such line exposures and, after all of said exposures of a given film panel have been completed, thus making it possible to produce virtually any desired layout of effective copy on the exposed film panel, which can be controllably determined by reason of the fact that the lateral movement adjustment knob 72, and the longitudinalmovement adjustment knob 76, are adapted to be provided with scale or indicia means of the type clearly indicated at 88 in FIG. 1 with respect to the knob 72 (a similar arrangement being provided for the other knob 76 on the opposite side of the cabinet or housing 22) marked off in printers measurement or scale form, such as in terms of points, or the scale may preferably be in pica units, each of which corresponds to twelve ofsuch points.

The above-mentioned arrangement will enable a handsetting printer or hand compositor to adjust either or both of the knobs 72 and 76 a desired number of said points" or picas in correspondence with markings on an external copy and plotting board of similar size and correspondingly rectilinearly marked off with similar printers scale measurements so as to precisely control the layout of images projected in a contact printing manner onto the upper surface of the image-receiving film panel 28IR. Longitudinal positioning of the film panel 28IR, through advancement thereof prior to the first exposure and after each subsequent line-by-line exposure, can be precisely determined by manual rotation of the longitudinal or forward movement control knob 52 which similarly is provided with scale means, as indicated at 90, also marked off in terms of printers measurements such as in terms of points" or in terms ofpicas or the like, thus making it possible for the hand compositor to precisely determine relative longitudinal position of any projected contact printed line of alpha-numeric symbols by comparing it with the external copy and plotting board mentioned above, which is of the same size and similarly marked off with identical printers measurement scale means along the margins thereof.

The exemplary, but nonspecifically limiting form of the invention illustrated, also includes optical projection and contact printing means, generally designated by the reference numeral 92, adapted to cooperate with image-producing means, such as indicated generally at 94, in a manner such as to project in a contact printing manner a plurality of images onto a selected exposure line portion or region of the film panel 281R whereby to expose said exposure line portion or region of said film panel 281R in a manner which will produce latent images thereon of the same size as the image-producing means and which can be rendered visible by subsequent developing in the developing tank means 26.

Usually, the image-producing means 94 and the optical projection and contact printing means 92 are controllably operated in a line-at-a-time exposure manner a plurality of times in sequence in a manner alternating with controllable advancement in repositioning of the film panel 28IR, as determined by the forward movement advancement knob 52 and either of the other rectilinear or translatory position adjustment knobs 72 and 76,

Thus, in effect, the optical projection and contact printing means 92 operates to expose, a line at a time, the film panel 281R until it has been advanced out of the image-receiving region 32. Subsequently, after it has been advanced past the cutoff region 34, as best shown in FIG. 3, the pivotally mounted cutoff knife means 24 is then operated to sever said exposed film panel 28PE so that it can drop into the developing liquid 54 in the developing tank means 26 for developing and subsequent removal for conventional plate-making use.

In the specific example illustrated, the above-mentioned image-producing means, indicated generally at 94, actually comprises a controllably adjustable rotary mounting structure 96 and multiple matrix holder means, indicated generally at 98, which is shown with most of the adjacent structure removed and/or partially broken away in FIG. 8 for reasons of drawing clarity and simplification.

The above-mentioned multiple matrix holder means 98 may be said to comprise a particular or special type of composing stick comprising a base portion 100 having an apertures portion 101 and a bottom positioned longitudinal slot 102 offset from the center thereof in certain forms of the invention (although not specifically so limited) for purposes which will be explained hereinafter, with the apertured portion 101 being adapted to receive and mount an apertured frame 104 therein which, in turn, is adapted to receive in laterally aligned relationship a variable number of matrix mounting members, as indicated generally at 106, with each matrix-mounting member 106 bearing a pair of matrices 110 and 110' in laterally offset relationship from each other so that only one matrix 110 or 110, but not both, carried by any given matrixmounting member 106 will be in an exposure position relative to the underlying slotted portion 102. Each matrix 100 or 110 has distinctive light-modifying means, such as indicated at 108 and 108 in FIGS. 10 and 10A and at 108a and 108a in FIGS. 12 and 13, simulating in shape and configuration a desired alpha-numeric symbol and thereby being adapted, by reason of differentialtransmission of light through the bottom face thereof into the immediately underlying line exposure portion of the film panel 28IR, to thus produce a corresponding latent image on a corresponding part of said film panel portion 28IR in the image reception region 32 shown in FIG. 3.

It should be noted that the frame 104 is provided with a threaded screw 112 which can be threadedly advanced for locking abutment against the end of one of the plurality of side-by-side positioned matrix-mounting members 106 which have been effectively hand-set by a printer or compositor in the composing stick type of holder 98. THis hand-setting operation, in accordance with a line of copy which is to be projected onto the film panel 281R at a particular location thereon, as determined by the adjustment of the previously described knobs 52, 72, and 76, is facilitated by the conventional printers measurement scale 114 which may be permanently carried by the upper surface of the base portion 100, or which maybe removably mounted thereon so that it can be removed and interchanged with another type of printers measurement scale. This makes it possible to accurately determine the length of the copy in printers measurement terms and by correlation with the previously mentioned copy and plotting board to keep track of the relative position of the copy on the finally fully exposed film panel ZSPE.

it should be clearly understood that the pair of matrices or image producing means 110 and 110 carried by each matrixmounting member 106, may be related to each other in any of a variety of different ways. In the example illustrated, the matrix or image producing means 110 defines a particular alpha-numeric symbol (in this case, a letter of the alphabet) in what is known as a Roman style of type face, while the other matrix or image producing means 111) carried by the same corresponding matrix-mounting member 1% is shown as defining a similar letter of the alphabet but in'what is known as Italic style of type face. However, it should be clearly understood that this is merely exemplary, and the two letters might be an upper case letter and a lower case letter, or any other type of relationship between the two letters defined by the two matrices or image-producing means 111) and 110 of each matrix-mounting member 106, might exist.

It should be noted that the two image-producing letters defined by the two matrices or imageproducing means 110 and 110 are positionally reversed-in other words, they read in opposite directions so that the entire matrix-mounting member 1116 can be handset in the apertured portion 101 of the multiple matrix holder means 98 in either direction-that is, with either one of the matrix or image-forming means 110 and 110' in exposure position overlying the underlying slotted portion 102 so as to be capable of exposing the corresponding line exposure portion of the film panel 281R. If a Roman style letter is desired, the matrix-mounting member 106 is mounted so that the Roman style letter defined by the matrix 110 overlies said slotted portion 102, while if an Italic letter is desired, the matrix-mounting member 106 is end-for-end positionally reversed so that the Italic letter defined by the other matrix or image-producing means 110' overlies the slotted portion 162.

While the multiple matrix holder means and the end-for-end reversible matrix-mounting members adapted to be carried by said multiple matrix holder means as described above provides a very advantageous arrangement for the purposes of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific details of the exemplary structure just described and particularly shown in the drawings in one exemplary .form. Actually, the composing stick or multiple matrix holder means indicated generally at 98 may be modified substantially within the broad scope of the present invention, and each individual matrix-mounting member we may also be substantially modified within the broad scope of the present invention. In certain forms, it may be pro'idctl with more than two matrices or image-producing means carried by each such matrix-mounting member and arranged to be positionally readjusted with respect to the exposure slot 102 so as to expose the underlying line exposure portion of the film panel 281R with any selected one of the matrices or image-producing means carried by such a matrixmounting member. l-lOwever, in other forms of the invention where this feature is not needed, the composing stick or multiple matrix htlder means 98 may carry one or more (usually a plurality) of matrir' mounting members, each of which carries only one matrix of image-producing means. in other words, the scope of the present invention is to be interpreted broadly with respect to variations of this portion ofthe apparatus.

it should be noted that each matrix or image-producing means 110 or 110 carried by the corresponding matrixmounting member 106, effectively comprises a substantially light-transmissive body portion 116 and 116, respectively, having a substantially light-opaque surface portion 118 and 118, respectively, surrounding a light-transmissive portion 121) and 120', respectively, in the shape ofa desired alpha-numeric symbol. In other words, the light-transmissive portion 120 or 120 shaped in the form of a desired alpha-numeric symbol and the surrounding substantially opaque portion 113 or 118, respectively, effectively comprise the light-modifying means, indicated generally at 110 and 110', respectively, by defining, in a differential light transmission manner, the desired alpha-numeric symbol which can, therefore, be readily optically projected in a substantially direct contact printing manner by the projection and contact printing means 92 onto a desired part of the film panel portion 281R. In the exemplary first form of the invention illustrated, the top surface 121 of each matrix-mounting member 106 is light transmissive in a manner similar to the light transmissiveness of each of the two bottom-positioned alpha-numeric symbol-defining light transmission portions 120 and 120, respectively, but all of the four side surfaces of the matrix-mounting member 106 are exteriorly opaque or have an exteriorly opaque surface portion as indicated at 123 which may be sin 'lar to the type of bottompositioned opaque surface portion 118 and 118, respectively, surrounding the two bottom-positioned lighttransmissive portions 120 and 120, respectively. This type of arrangement allows the downwardly directed projection or contact printing light to enter the light-transmissive top surface 121 and to thereafter be effectively contained within the light transmissive interior body portion 116 and 116 which are laterally adjacent to each other and correspondingly aligned with the corresponding bottom-positioned light-transmissive portions 121) and 120, respectively, so that no lateral light leakage will occur and all of the light which enters the light-transmissive top surface 121 will be retained by the opaque side surface portions 123 and the opaque bottom surface portions 118 and 118 and will be downwardly emitted only through the one of the bottom-positioned two light-transmissive portions 120 and 120' which is in the exposure position. However, it should be clearly noted that, if desired, the top surface may be similar to the bottom surfacethat is, have two light-transmissive ortions 121, each directly overlying and similar to the two bottom light-transmissive portions 120 and 120', respectively, with all other portions of the top surface being opaque, similar to and directly overlying the corresponding opaque bottom surface portions 118 and 11%. The sidewall portions 123 may also be opaque. This arrangement would thus define a direct vertical through path for contact printing light only in the shape of the two light transmissive alpha-numeric symbol defining portions 120 and 120' at both top and bottom of the light-transmissive body portions 116 and 116', respectively, of the matrix-mounting member 106 and, indeed, in certain additional further modified forms of the invention, all interior portions of the matrix-mounting member 106, except for those vertically aligned with the light-transmissive letter-defining portions 120 and 120 at the bottom of the matrix-mounting member 106 and also at the top thereof, may be opaque, thus allowing the vertical light-transmissive path to be completely confined along its entire vertical downward length through the matrix-mounting member 1116 whereby to be limited to the exact plan view shape of the light-transmissive portion 120 or 120', respectively, corresponding to the desired alpha-numeric symbol. Any or all of these arrangements or other substantially functionally equivalent arran 'nents wherein the vertical length of the light-transmissive portion or *e matrixmounting member 1116 may be substantially modified, such as by reducing it to a relatively thin-sheet form or otherwise, are

' within the broad scope of the present invention and are l.

tended to be included and comprehended herein.

After mounting the plurality of matrix-mounting members 106 in the multiple matrix holding mean; 8 with the selected matrix and 110' of each such matrix-mounting 111""11361' 106 overlying the exposure slot 102, a top-positioned pivotally edge-mounted shield 125 may be swung downwardly so as to overlie all of the matrix-mounting member portions which have the other matrix 110 or 110 not overlying the lower slot 1612 effectively obscured by said top light-rejecting shield 125. This arrangement provides for a very effective selection of the particular matrix 110 OR 110' of each matrix-mounting member which is to be effectively in the exposure position for effectively exposing the underlying film panel portion 28m. However, various other means may be employed in lieu of the specific arrangement illustrated in the first exemplary form of the invention and may include a larger bottom slot 102 having light shield means for obscuring one or the other half thereof or selectively either half thereof, or may employ two such light shields positioned at the top of the multiple matrix holder means 98 arranged to obscure one or the other half thereof at the top and such light shields may be pivotally mounted, slidably mounted, or provided in any other suitable manner capable of functioning to effectively select one or the other matrix 110 or 110 of each matrix mounting member 106, and all such arrangements are intended to be included and comprehended within the broad scope of the present invention.

However, it should be clearly noted that various other differential light transmission arrangements, optically speaking and/or physically speaking, may be employed in lieu of the matrix arrangement shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and the slightly modified form shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 where the lightmodifying means 110a and 110a each comprises a complete panel or rectangle of thin-sheet form, such as film or the like, having the substantially opaque portions 118a and 118a and the substantially light-transmissive portions 120a and 126a, in the shape of a corresponding desired alpha-numeric symbol, carried at the bottom of the corresponding body portion 116a or 116a of the light-transmissive material of the corresponding matrix-mounting member 106a.

It should be noted that the image-producing means very generally designated by the reference numeral 94 is not limited to two rows each comprising a plurality of laterally adjacent matrices, such as those indicated at 110 or 110, but may also include means in certain forms of the invention for mounting a film transparency or the like which bears one or more pictorial representations. This might merely comprise an alternate form of the previously mentioned frame 104- which includes means such as an apertured slipover edge frame or the like for mounting a film transparency or the like substantially directly over and extending downwardly through the slotted portion 102 so as to flow the substantially direct contact printing of such a pictorial representation on the underlying film panel 281R. A film transparency adapted for such use may be either a negative or a positive of any conventional type, and, if desired, a halftone screen may be superimposed between it and the underlying film panel 28IR so that a latent image produced therefrom on the underlying film panel 281R will be suitable for the direct production of a halftone printing plate portion corresponding thereto. Such a film transparency may bear a pictorial representation or may bear one or more ruling lines which may be arranged in parallel relationship and/or perpendicular relationship and may be single or plural in number so that the fully exposed film panel 28IR after development will bear desired ruling lines corresponding to any particular desired multiple-space-defining form or the like. This type of ruling line may also be borne by one or more matrix-mounting members 106 of the general type described hereinbefore or by a modified matrix-mounting member effectively bearing one or more such lines sideways along the lateral length direction of the underlying slot 102 and the orientation of the line image produced thereby on the underlying film panel 28IR can be readily adjusted by reason of the rotary turret at lrn positioning adjustment of the multiple matrix holder indicated generally at 98 which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Of course, in this type of arrangement a light shield such as that shown at 125 may be employed if only one-half of the matrix mounting member of transparency is desired to be exposed in a manner similar to that described hereinbefore. However, in other forms of the invention, the light shield may be eliminated entirely and the transparency or matrix-mounting member may adequately define and limit the light passing downwardly therethrough to a desired dimension corresponding to a line space on the underlying film panel 28IR or to any desired multiple thereof.

An arrangement of any of the types briefly referred to above is not specifically illustrated in detail in the drawing since it is believed that the structure shown in the drawing may be easily adapted in a readily understandable manner for this purpose and, furthermore, since such an arrangement does not directly touch upon the real inventive concept of the present invention and is only incidental thereto.

After a desired group of the image-mounting members 106 have been hand-set in a manner such as to provide a desired exposure line of one of each pair of matrices 110 or 110 carried by each such matrix-mounting member 106, so that the desired exposure line of said matrices 110 or 110 is positioned in alignment with the underlying apertured portion 102, or after a picotorial-image-producing or ruled-lineproducing matrix has been similarly mounted in exposure relationship with respect to the underlying slotted portion 102, said complete holder means 98 is ti en adapted to be mounted in a position such as is shown at 94 j i FIGS. 3 and 4 by effectively positioning said holder means in a stepped shoulder 122 of a centrally downwardly apertured rotary ring member 124, which is rotatively mounted and adapted to be controllably manually rotated by means, one form of which is indicated generally at 127 in FIGS. 2 and 4, which is carried by a horizontal support strip or panel 126 carried by the left sidewall of the housing means 22 as shown in FIG. 2.

The apparatus described above provides an arrangement such that the entire image-producing means 94 is effectively rotatively mounted relative to the underlying film panel 281R for angle-printing in any desired relationship, as determined by rotation of an exterior knob 128 which is pinned or otherwise fastened to a shaft 130 extending into the interior of the housing or cabinet 22 and which rotates a bevel gear 132.

The bevel gear 132 cooperates with the meshing ring gear 134 carried by the ring member 124 whereby to rotate the complete image-producing means 94 into any desired angular position, as determined by the position of said knob 128 with respect to an exterior scale 136 which is calibrated in terms of angular measurement. In other words, the rotative mounting of the image-producing means 94 may be said to comprise, in effect, a rotary turret arrangement.

In the exemplary, but nonspecifically limiting first form of the invention illustrated, the previously mentioned projection and contact printing means, generally indicated by the reference numeral 92, comprises a projection or printing lamp assembly means 138, a collimating type of reflector means 140, and frontally positioned diffusing screen means 142, although, if desired, frontally positioned collimating lens means may be employed in lieu of the diffusing screen means 142, and all such arrangements well known in the art are intended'to be included and comprehended within the broad scope of the present invention as fully as if specifically and individually illustrated in the drawings, which, however, is believed to be unnecessary in view of the fact that such arrangements are well known in the art and the further face that this portion of the apparatus does not touch upon the real inventive concept of the present invention. In any event, it should suffice to say that the projection and contact printing means is adapted to produce substantially limated or parallel light directed downwardly through the transparent p. ons of the exposure line of matrix-mounting members 106 and out the lower faces thereof as modified by the corresponding image producing matrix means 110 or 110 (depending upon wl.I is in the exposure line position) for projecting a corresponding sharply defined alpha-numeric symbol image in a substantially direct contact printing manner onto a c rresponding line exposure portion of the film panel 281R.

In the exemplary, but nonspecifically limiting, form or the invention illustrated, the image-producing means indicated generally at 94 and, therefore, the ring structure or etfective platform 124 are effectively supported by the projection or printing lamp assembly means 138 in a manner such that the entire assembly can be rotated in the previously mentioned manner by rotary adjustment of the exterior knob 128, and also it should be noted that said entire assembly is spaced a very short distance upwardly above its actually extreme lowermost printing position. This is to allow the previously mentioned rotary adjustment by rotation of the exterior knob 128 to occur while the bottom of the multiple matrix holder or composing stick means 98 is spaced slightly above the upper surface of the film panel 281R and, therefore, will not abrade or scratch same during the rotary positional adjustment operation. Also, this slight upper spacing of the complete assembly referred to above from the upper surface of the film panel 281R allows the complete multiple matrix holder or composing stick means 98 to be slidably inserted into the stepped shoulder 122 of the central downwardly apertured rotary ring member 124 after completion of a hand-setting operation (either initially laterally or longitudinally followed by 90 rotation thereof) and then allows the entire assembly to be moved downwardly to its extreme lower position so that the bottom surface of the multiple matrix holder or composing stick means 98 will be substantially in immediately overlying direct contact printing relationship with respect to the corresponding immediately underlying line exposure portion of the film panel 281R. If such a slight vertical movement between a lower extreme and an upper extreme position of the complete assembly mounting the multiple matrix holder means or composing stick means 98 did not exist, the insertion of the multiple matrix holder means or composing stick means 98 into mounted relationship in the stepped shoulder 122 of the rotary ring or effective platfon-n member 124 might tend to scratch the upper surface of the film panel 281R.

In the arrangement illustrated, it will be noted that the downward movement of the entire assembly mentioned above and including the rotary ring member 124 and the fully mounted multiple matrix holder means or composing stick 98, is effected automatically when the fully hand-set holder means 98 is placed within the stepped shoulder 122 of the rotary ring member 124 by reason of its contact with a two-position snap action switch 144 and the corresponding closure of an electric circuit means 146 (adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electric power, not shown) whereby to energize the reversible driving motor means 148 in a direction such as to cause the spur gear or pinion 150 thereof to drive the longitudinal rack member 152 carrying the previously mentioned ring member 124 and the mounted multiple matrix holder means or composing stick means 98 downwardly until a bottom limit switch 153 (a two-position snap action switch) is reached and actuated into this alternate position, which effectively temporarily deenergizes the reversible motor 148 and places the electric circuit means 146 in a condition for reversed energization of the motor 148 upon the next energization of the circuit means 146, which will occur automatically upon the completion of the energization of the projection printing lamp 158 of the upper projection and contact printing lamp assembly means 138 whereby to provide a proper line exposure of the line exposure portion of the underlying film panel 28lR. As soon as this exposure operation has been completed, the circuit 146 will again be effectively closed, and the motor 148 will operate the pinion 150 and the rack 152 in an opposite direction such as to raise the entire assembly comprising the rotary ring member 124 and the multiple matrix holder means or composing stick means 98 upwardly a very short distance to its upper extreme position where an upper limit switch 154 (a two-position, snap action switch) will be operated into its alternate position which will effectively deenergize the motor 148 and at the same time reverse the effective switch connections relative to the electric circuit means 146 in a manner such that the next operation thereof during the insertion of a next hand-set composing stick 98 into the stepped shoulder 122 of the rotary ring or platform member 124, which will operate the two-position, snap action switch into its alternate position, will again energize the motor 148 in the previously mentioned effective manner for downwardly moving said entire assembly into its lowermost extreme contact printing position.

FIG. is primarily an electrical schematic view, although certain of the apparatus controlled thereby is shown either fragmentarily or in diagrammatic form, and a careful examination of it clarifies the above very briefly described automatic sequential operation of the motor 148 when the multiple matrix holder means or composing stick means 98 is placed in fully inserted, mounted position and causes the operation of the two-position, snap action switch means 144 into its alternate position whereby to energize the motor 148 in one of its two directions of rotation which might be termed a down direction of rotation which causes rotation of the spur gears 150 in a direction such as to effectively move the racks 152 downwardly and to thus correspondingly move the previously mentioned ring member 124 and the mounted multiple matrix holder means or composing stick means 98 downwardly into the contact printing position where the bottoms of the plurality of matrices or 110' of the plurality of matrix-mounting members 106 mounted within the multiple matrix holder means or composing stick means 98 are in contact printing relationship with respect to the line exposure portion of the underlying film panel 281R, at which time the bottom two position, snap action limit switch means 153 is effectively reached and snapped into its alternate position, which effectively deenergizes the down" terminal 155 of the motor 148 so that the motor stops its downward actuating movement and holds the entire apparatus in its downwardly extreme contact printing position.

The above-mcntioned striking of the bottom limit switch means 153 whereby to actuate it into its alternate position for deenergizing the down terminal 155 of the motor 140, also effectively energizes the lead 156 which passes through the normally closed switch 157 of the time delay relay indicated generally at 159 and then through the control rheostat R (or other lighting intensity controller) to the previously mentioned projection or contact printing lamp means 158 so that it will be immediately energized and will become immediately illuminated and will downwardly direct contact printing light through the row of matrices 110 or 110 in the line exposure region directly overlying the bottom slot 102 and thence onto the line exposure portion of the underlying film panel 201R whereby to properly expose a complete line exposure region thereof for a period of time determined by the setting of the time delay relay 159, which is controllably adjustable by reason of the adjusting knob K and which, after said predetermined period of time, will open the normally closed time delay relay switch 157 and thus deenergize the projection or contact printing lamp 158 after said predetermined exposure time. When this occurs as a result of operation of the time delay relay 159, the time delay relay switch 157 will effectively energize the lead 161 which is connected to the up terminal 163 of the previously mentioned actuating motor 148 and which will thus become energized in what might be termed an up direction, opposite to the previously mentioned down direction, which oppositely rotates the spur or pinion gears so as to move the rack means 152 upwardly from the lowermost extreme contact printing position thereof toward the upper extreme, normal position thereof, at which time the previously mentioned upper two-position, snap action switch means 154 is operated into its alternate position which not only effectively deenergizes the motor 148 and the time delay relay 159 so that the time delay relay switch 157 can immediately return to its normal position closing the circuit to the projection or contact printing lamp 158, but which also places the circuit in a condition such that the next alternate snap-action operation of the two-position, snap action switch means 144 by the next insertion of a multiple matrix holder means or composing stick means 98 into mounted relationship within the rotary ring or effective platform member 12 1 will again energize the down" terminal of the actuating motor 148 for a repetition of the previously described automatic cycle of operation, including the various sequential steps briefly described above.

it should be noted that in FlG. 15 the upper two-position snap action switch means 154 is shown with the three movable switch elements thereof in an upper one of its two alternate positions as a result of having been actuated after the entire assembly comprising the rotary ring member 124 and the multiple-matrixiholding means or composing stick means 98 has been driven upwardly by the motor 148, the pinions 151), and the racks 152 to its upper extreme position, which resulted in deenergizing the entire system since the two-position snap action switch 144 previously operated by the insertion of the composing stick 98 into fully mounted preprinting position had snapped said switch 144 into the lowermost position shown in broken lines in FIG. 15, at which time all of the three movable switch elements of the upper element switch 154 had also been in their lowermost positions as shown in FIG. 15. Also, at said time, both of the two movable switch elements of the bottom switch 153 had been in their lowermost positions. It will of course be understood that the preceding operation then had resulted in energizing the down terminal 155 of the motor 148 which had driven the entire assembly to the lower extreme contact printing position at which time the bottom limit switch 153 had been actuated so that the two movable switch elements thereof had been snapped into their uppermost positions as shown in FIG. which, of course, had then applied power through the lead 156 and the normally closed relay switch 157 and control rheostat R to the printing lamp 158 for a time determined by the adjustable time delay relay 159, after which the switch 157 deenergized the printing lamp 158 and applied the power through the lead 161 to t he up terminal 163 of the motor 148 which had then driven the entire assembly upwardly until the upper extreme limit of travel thereof had been reached, at which time the three movable switch elements of the upper limit switch 154 had been actuated from their previous lower positions into the upper'positions shown in FIG. 15 which, of course, had'immediately deenergized the motor 148 and the entire apparatus. This is the condition of the apparatus shown in FIG. 15 and of the various switches except for the fact that the switch 144 is shown in FIG. 15 just after another fully loaded composing stick 98 has been inserted into the apparatus in preprinting position and has snapped the movable switch element of the switch 144 from its previous lowermost position shown in broken lines in FIG. 15 into its uppermost position shown in solid lines in FIG. 15, which of course then will immediately apply energy to the down terminal 155 of the motor 148 and repeat the above-described automatic cycle of operation of the system.

It should be noted that, when the composing stick 98 is inserted into mounted position within the ring or platform member 124 so that the two-position snap action switch means 144 is actuated into the opposite one of its two alternate positions, it is of course necessary that the automatic cycle of operations described above does not begin immediately before the operators hands are removed from within the confines of the housing 22. This may be accomplished in any of several ways. One way, described in greater detail hereinafter, is to include another switch 188 in circuit with the switch means 144 in an effectively overriding and controlling manner and arranged in certain forms of the invention to be operated under the control of the access door 170, which provides for access into the interior of the housing 22.

The arrangement is such that when the access door 170 is opened, the controlling or overriding switch 188 is also opened and thus operation of the switch means 144 by the mounting ofa composing stick 98 in the ring member 124 will not start the above-described cycle of operations until the access door 170 is closed in a manner such as to close the controlling and overriding switch 188. Thereafter, the abovedescribed automatic cycle of operations will continue through the complete sequence thereof.

It is also possible, if adequate light-shielding means such as an enveloping, flexible, opaque cover or the like is positioned over the ring member 122 in a manner which allows a composing stick 98 to be inserted thereinto and mounted therein in a light-shielded manner and in a manner which shields the lower film panel exposure portion 28IR, that the housing 22 may be modified substantially, possibly by elimination of the access door 170, or portions or substantially all of the housing 22 surrounding such a hood-protected mounting member 124 might be eliminated. In such a modification, the access door 170 would not be available to operate the controlling and overriding switch 188 and, therefore, some other means must be provided for this purpose, and it might comprise a normally closed photoelectric relay such as is indicated diagrammatically at 165 in phantom in FIG. 15, and which is indicated as being in coupled relationship with respect to the switch 188 by the phantom coupling line 167.

The arrangement would be such that the photoelectric relay would be positioned so that a beam of light normally extending across some portion of the apparatus through which an operators hand would have to be moved in order to mount a composing stick 98 within such a light-shielded, hooded ring member 124 would, during such mounting of a composing stick, cause a breaking or interrupting of such a beam (which might be an invisible beam of infrared light or the like, for example) so that the controlling and overriding switch 188 would be temporarily held in open position. However, as soon as the operator's hands are removed after completion of the mounting of a loaded composing stick 98 within such a lightprotected, hooded ring member 124, the photoelectric relay 165 would cause or allow the automatic closure of the con trolling and overriding switch 188 and thus would function in a manner comparable to the controlling operation of the controlling and overriding switch 188 by the access door 17d in the form of the invention previously described and shown in solid lines.

Also, another alternate arrangement for bringing about the proper operation of the controlling and overriding switch 188 might take the form of a time delay relay such as is shown in phantom at 169 in FIG. 15 and which would also function to maintain the controlling and overriding switch 188 in open position temporarily for a short initial period of time after the actuation of the switch means 144 by the mounting of a com- .posing stick 98 relative to the ring or turret member 124. The

period of time delay during which the switch 188 would be temporarily held open and after which it would close could be controllably adjusted by a time delay relay adjusting knob 171 and would make it possible for a person to properly mount a composing stick 98 within the ring or turret member 124 and to then remove his hands within the time delay period and immediately thereafter, upon expiration of the time delay period, the switch 188 would close and the above-described sequence of automatically initiated operations would begin and would be carried through to completion.

It should, of course, be understood that, in the exemplary first form of the invention illustrated and, indeed, in any of the various modifications thereof intended to be included and comprehended within the broad scope of the invention, the film panel 28IR must be protected from unintended exposure by ambient light and, indeed, from any exposure whatsoever to light except that intentionally provided at a particular line exposure region through a particular set of matrices or 110' when the projection lamp 158 is energized and becomes illuminated in the manner hereinbefore described.

At all other times, light must be prevented from reaching the film panel 28IR. This may be accomplished during the time while an operator is inserting a composing stick 98 into the ring or turret member 124 for subsequent exposure of a line exposure region of the underlying film panel 28IR by effectively optically isolating the underlying film panel 281R from the upper region adjacent to the rotary ring or turret member 124 to which an operator must have access while placing the composing stick 98 in the ring or turret member 124.

Such optical isolation of the underlying film panel 28IR from the working region comprising the recessed portion 122 of the ring or turret member 124 into which the composing stick 98 is repeatedly inserted and removed and inserted and removed during repetitive operation of the apparatus, may be accomplished by the use of shutter means underlying the rotary ring or turret member 124 and effectively overlying the film panel 281R and adapted to be closed whenever a composing stick 93 is being inserted into or removed from the ring or turret member 1124 but adapted to be opened just prior to the downward movement of the ring member 124 and the composing stick 98 carried thereby into contact printing position as a result of the automatic downward operation of the actuating motor M8 in the manner previously described so that when the projection lamp 158 is automatically energized and caused to provide contact printing light for a predetermined period of time in the manner previously described, such a shutter means will be opened and will allow the direct contact printing exposure of a line exposure region on the underlying and previously optically isolated film panel 281R.

Of course, subsequently, when the next of the abovedescribed automatic sequence of operations occurs, comprising the automatic upward operation of the actuating motor 148 so as to move the ring or turret member 124, and the composing stick 98 carried thereby, upwardly out of the previous contact printing position and into a position sufficiently vertically spaced above the underlying film panel 281R to allow the movement ofthe underlying film panel into the next line exposure position, such a shutter means must then again close prior to the next insertion of a composing stick 98 into mounted relationship on the rotary ring or turret member l24 preparatory to the next subsequent line exposure contact printing operation.

Such correlated operation of such a shutter might be electrically controlled by, connected with, and correlated in a properly timed manner with, the operation of the apparatus as shown in electrical schematic form in FIG. 15. For example, it would merely be necessary to connect an operating shutteropening solenoid, which is intended to mean any rotary (or linear) solenoid or other type of motor, to the down terminal 155 of the actuating motor M8 so that such a shutteropening solenoid (or motor) would be energized at the same time that the down terminal i155 of the actuating motor 148 is energized. This would, of course, cause automatic opening of such a shutter at the proper moment which would then remain open until the up" terminal of the actuating motor 148 is energized in the manner previously described, at which time the shutter would be effectively closed again and would remain so closed until the next energization ofthe down" terminal 155 of the actuating motor 148.

Such an optional arrangement is shown fragmentarily, diagrammatically, and schematically in FIG. A where such a shutter is indicated as taking the form of a small closure blind means or shutter member 173 adapted to be operated in an opening direction by a shutter-opening solenoid (or motor) 175 and .dapted to be operated in a closing direction by a shutter-closing solenoid (or motor) 177, with the opening solenoid (or motor) 175 being connected to the down" terminal l55 of the actuating motor M8 so as to be energized simultaneously therewith, and with the other closing solenoid 177 being connected to the up terminal T63 of the actuating motor M8 so as to be energized simultaneously therewith.

The above is only one of many optional arrangements, and another exemplary but nonspecifically limiting one wherein a closure blind means is arranged to be directly operated by opening and closing of the previously mentioned access door T70 of the exemplary first form of the invention, is shown in the figures and will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Also, it is quite possible, in a modified arrangement such as referred to hereinbefore wherein a lighttight hood or shield covers the ring member 124 and effectively excludes light from the underlying film panel 281R, that no such shutter would be required at all and could therefore be eliminated. This of course, would mean that the entry of ones hand, and a composing stick 9% into such a lighttight enclosing hood or shield covering the ring member 124 would necessarily be by an optically circuitous; path such as by passing through folded flexible material along a multiple entry devious or tortuous path so as to prevent the exterior leakage oflight thcreinto in a 98 between a preexposure and afterexposure position and an intervening contact printing exposure position, provides a very effective arrangement for the purposes of the present invention, it should be clearly noted that the present invention is not specifically limited to the precise arrangement just described. A much less complex manually operated and/or controlled arrangement for moving the entire device between an upper, slightly spaced position relative to the underlying film panel 281R and a lower extreme contact printing position, may be employed in lieu of the elet .ric circuit and switch controlled motor driven arrangement just described in some detail for accomplishing the same purpose, and all such arrange ments are intended to be included and comprehended within the broad scope of the present invention.

The rotary positional relationship of the image-producing means 94 and also the projection and contact printing lamp assembly means H38 with respect to the underlying film panel 281R can be adjusted at will, as briefly mentioned above, by rotary adjustment of the exterior knob 128. This requires that the structures indicated at 138 and 94 be rotatively mounted within the housing 22 for effective rotation by such manual rotation of the exterior operating knob 128. Therefore, such rotative mounting of said entire image-producing means 94 and the entire projection lamp assembly means ll38 carrying same is provided by reason of the fact that the complete projection lamp assembly means 138 is rotatively mounted by the slidable ring portion 160 carried by support members 162 which are vertically slidably mounted with respect to the interior sidewalls ofthe housing or cabinet 22 by brackets i164.

The arrangement just described is such that rotation of the entire image-producing means 94, caused by rotation of the exterior knob 128, for projecting by contact printing a line of alpha-numeric symbols at an angle is accompanied by rotation of the entire projection and contact printing lamp assembly means 138 rotatively carried by the ring portion 160 and the support rods 162 in the manner described above.

However, it should be clearly noted that the arrangement described above is exemplary only and is not intended to specifically limit the invention to the exact arrangement just described and specifically illustrated in the figuresv Actually, the projection lamp assembly means i138 may be nonrotatably mounted in certain forms of the invention, and the rotary mounting may be provided for the image-producing means 94 only. Furthermore, in certain forms of the invention where the angle-printing feature is not desired, the rotary mounting of even the image-producing means 94 may also be eliminated. Additionally, it should be noted that the arrangement described hereinbefore for providing the slight vertical move ment between the upper preprinting position or afterprinting position and the intervening lower extreme contact printing position of the multiple matrix trai er or composing stick means 9% and the structure mounting same, may i modified so that the projection and contact printing lamp assembl 13% does not move therewith. incidentally, it should be noted th; t, since the rotary ring or turret member i124 in the preferred i emplary form of the invention illustrated, does move through the slight vertical distance between the upper precontact and aftercontact printing position and the int rvening lower extreme contact printing position, it is obvious that the i. trol knob 123 will also be correspondingly slightly vertically reciprocated and, therefore, the shaft connected thereto lies in a vertical slot 168 in the wall of the housing 22 to allOW this movement to occur.

In this connection, it should be noted that this slot 16%, together with all other slots of similar character adapted to allow slidable movement of shafts passing through the sidewall of the housing 22 and connected to any one of the various control and/or adjustment knobs, may be provided with lighttight effective optical sealing means of any well-known 

2. Photocomposing apparatus comprising: multiple-matrix composing stick holder means having apertured receiving recess means controllably interchangeably provided with and mounting in laterally adjacent relationship a plurality of matrix-mounting members having a plurality of image-producing matrices, each having distinctive light-modifying means simulating in shape and configuration a desired photocomposing image; photographic printing means including contact printing exposure-producing means positioned for controllably operable direct contact printing relationship with respect to said composing stick holder means and the image-producing matrices of the matrix-mounting members carried thereby and an oppositely positioned line exposure portion of an adjacent photosensitive film panel; movable mounting and positioning means removably mounting said composing stick holder means and said plurality of matrix-mounting members therein with said matrices being in a selected line exposure relationship with respect to said positioning means and with said positioning means having means providing for controllable movement thereof from a composing stick engagement and disengagement position spaced from an adjacent photosensitive film panel into an actual contact printing position with respect thereto and including releasable retaining means for retaining it in said contact printing position during a contact printing operation and for subsequently returning it to said spaced composing stick engagement and disengagement position; and controllably adjustable film panel mounting means for mounting a photosensitive film panel for positionally externally indicated translatory adjustment in two mutually perpendicular directions in a plane transverse to a perpendicular centerline of said photographic printing means and provided with indicia means for indicating the precise degree of adjusting movement of said film panel mounting means; said means for providing for effective movement of said movable mounting and positioning means and said composing stick holder means from said composing stick engagement and disengagement position into said contact printing position and vice versa comprising actuating motor means, electric circuit means, and controlling switch means connected to a suitable source of electrical energy and electrically energizing said actuating motor means in response to and following engagement of said composing stick holder means within said movable mounting and positioning means in a preexposure relationship in a manner positively causing it to move said movable mounting and positioning means and said fully engaged composing stick holder means from said composing stick engagement and disengagement position into said contact printing position with respect to an oppositely positioned, adjacent photosensitive film panel and responsive to the reaching of said contact printing position for temporarily deenergizing said actuating motor means and energizing said photographic printing means for a predetermined period of direct contact printing exposure time followed by the termination thereof and the reenergization of said actuating motor means in a manner causing oppositely directed movement of said movable mounting and positioning means and said composing stick holder means out of said contact printing position and into said spaced composing stick holder engagement and disengagement position thereof and at that time operable the next subsequent energization thereof occurs in response to the next subsequent engagement of said composing stick holder means within said movable mounting and positioning means.
 3. Photocomposing apparatus comprising: multiple-matrix composing stick holder means having apertured receiving recess means controllably interchangeably provided with and mounting in laterally adjacent relationship a plurality of matrix-mounting members having a plurality of image-producing matrices, each having distinctive light-modifying means simulating in shape and configuration a desired photocomposing image; photographic printing means including contact printing exposure-producing means positioned for controllably operable direct contact printing relationship with respect to said composing stick holder means and the image-producing matrices of the matrix-mounting members carried thereby and an oppositely positioned line exposure portion of an adjacent photosensitive film pane; movable mounting and positioning means removably mounting said composing stick holder means and said plurality of matrix-mounting members therein with said matrices being in a selected line exposure relationship with respect to said positioning means and with said positioning means having means providing for controllable movement thereof from a composing stick engagement and disengagement position spaced from an adjacent photosensitive film panel into an actual contact printing position with respect thereto and including releasable retaining means for retaining it in said contact printing position during a contact printing operation and for subsequently returning it to said spacing composing stick engagement and disengagement position; and controllably adjustable film panel mounting means for mounting a photosensitive film panel for positionally externally indicated translatory adjustment in two mutually perpendicular directions in a plane transverse to a perpendicular centerline of said photographic printing means and provided with indicia means for indicating the precise degree of adjusting movement of said film panel mounting means; said forward advancement movement means comprising effective conveyor belt means and driving sprocket wheel means drivingly engageable with an end portion of such a continuous length of photosensitive film having corresponding sprocket hole means engageable with said driving sprocket wheel means for controllably advancing movement in response to rotation of said driving sprocket wheel means.
 4. Photocomposing apparatus as defined in claim 3, including cutoff knife means positioned forwardly of said line exposure region and controllably operable for cutting off a film panel portion which has been previously exposed line-by-line in correspondence with a plurality of different laterally adjacent line sets of image-producing matrices in said line exposure positions thereof.
 5. Photocomposing apparatus as defined in claim 4, including photographic developing means positioned for the reception of such a cutoff, previously exposed film panel portion and cooperable for developing and rendering visible a plurality of line-by-line exposure images latently carried by such a previously exposed film panel portion.
 6. Photocomposing apparatus comprising: multiple-matrix composing stick holder means having apertured receiving recess means controllably interchangeably provided with and mounting in laterally adjacent relationship a plurality of matrix-mounting members having a plurality of image-producing matrices, in each having distinctive light-modifying means simulating in shape and configuration a desired photocompoSing image; (optical) photographic printing means including contact printing exposure-producing means positioned for controllably operable direct contact printing relationship with respect to said composing stick holder means and the image-producing matrices of the matrix-mounting members carried thereby and an oppositely positioned line exposure portion of an adjacent photosensitive film panel; movable mounting and positioning means removably mounting said composing stick holder means and said plurality of matrix-mounting members therein with said matrices being in a selected line exposure relationship with respect to said positioning means and with said positioning means having means providing for controllable movement thereof from a composing stick engagement and disengagement position spaced from an adjacent photosensitive film panel into an actual contact printing position with respect thereto and including releasable retaining means for retaining it in said contact printing position during a contact printing operation and for subsequently returning it to said spaced composing stick engagement and disengagement position; and controllably adjustable film panel mounting means for mounting a photosensitive film panel for positionally externally indicated translatory adjustment in two mutually perpendicular directions in a plane transverse to a perpendicular centerline of said photographic printing means and provided with indicia means for indicating the precise degree of adjusting movement of said film panel mounting means; said means for providing for effective movement of said movable mounting and positioning means from said composing stick engagement and disengagement position into said contact printing position and vice versa comprising an outer housing member and an inner, vertically movable carrier member to slidably receive and mount said composing stick holder means therein and biasing spring means positioned effectively between said outer housing member and said inner carrier member and controllably manually overridable for allowing movement of said inner carrier member into said contact printing position and provided with latching means to hold said inner carrier member in said contact printing position against the opposition of said biasing spring means until manually released, whereupon said biasing spring means will return said inner carrier member and said composing stick holder means into said spaced composing stick engagement and disengagement position.
 7. Photocomposing apparatus as defined in claim 6, including controllably operable rotary position adjustment means for adjusting the relative position of said composing stick holder means and said plurality of image-producing matrices received and mounted thereby with respect to an oppositely positioned adjacent photosensitive film panel for varying the angle of each line of images produced in a full-size contact printing manner on such a film panel relative to a true perpendicular transverse normal reading direction. 